How to identify a company with sustainable values that match your own

Having a detailed look at an organisation's mission statement and commitment beyond the value chain can reveal whether it puts sustainable values at its core, says
Clare Whitmell

Searching for transparency in financial reporting and exploring how a company engages with the wider community, can help identify organisations with sustainable values at its core. Photograph: Colorblind/Getty Images

Tuesday 21 August 2012 09.19 EDT
First published on Tuesday 21 August 2012 09.19 EDT

If working for a values-led organisation is at the heart of your job search, your strategy is sound – if only for the increased likelihood of job satisfaction. A report by Net Impact, what workers want in 2012, reveals that employees who make a direct positive social and environmental impact through their roles have twice the level of job satisfaction.

On Purpose, which runs a one-year programme of paid placements and coaching to develop social enterprise leaders, is doubling its intake of associates. Programme manager Kate Richardson attributes this to an increasing disillusionment among young professionals working tirelessly for anonymous shareholder return.

In fact, a company led by values can be better placed to survive tough times. "Being values-led can give businesses a commercial edge that no branding agency could hope to achieve," says Karen Mattison, founder of Timewise. The values underpinning her business make it more resilient, help attract people who share the same vision, and provide identity and purpose. "We never wobble about our business direction or the decisions we take, because our vision is so focused."

Leaders in environmental, social and governance policies outperform competitors in stock performance by an average of 25%, with poorly-performing firms far more likely to have nobody in charge of sustainability issues, reports Sustainable Industries.

But how can you identify an organisation that puts sustainable values at its core, rather than adding them for a look-good factor?

Mission statements

Look for how success is measured in different ways to a traditional balance sheet. Does an organisation's mission include values important to both the business and the wider community and environment? A good example of this is Ben & Jerry's.

Does the company set out a clear business case for sustainability, showing how strategically embedding sustainable values has a bottom line impact on growth and profits? Keep your mind open. On Purpose chooses a wide variety of organisations to place their associates, from charities and social enterprises to multinational companies.

Ilaria Ida, European social missions manager at Ben & Jerry's suggests checking out company claims, and how the company portrays itself. A "work in progress" story, narrated in humble tones, is far more believable than overstating sustainability credentials.

Communication style

Look at the ways the company communicates through its website, advertising and use of social media. How a company engages with you and the wider community, is also revealing. Are they transparent: responding promptly to questions and requests, or through being active within their sector, sharing their knowledge, debating strategy and communicating their values? Read their publications and articles, and what's been written about them to gain deeper insights.

As a candidate, can you get information or advice, attend open days or gain work experience? Is the company respectful of your time and interest, informing you if your application is unsuccessful?

Management style

Ian Cheshire, CEO of Kingfisher says that while the CEO needs to push for sustainability, team engagement is as important. "No CEO runs a company on their own. It takes thousands and the same is true of sustainability."

Assess how you'll be able to make a contribution, and whether initiatives and bottom-up thinking are valued. At interview, ask how the company sets sustainability goals and measures progress, and whether it's linked to compensation.

What does the company offer in benefits and opportunities for promotion and growth, or investment through training and development? Examine staff turnover rates. (Useful information on hiring patterns and career paths is included in LinkedIn company profiles.)

Companies can also go beyond minimum standards through managing indirect impacts (for example on how the end user creates wider impacts, through product disposal). Some companies try to limit these impacts through better product design, or by changing consumer behaviour.

External certification

Does the company collaborate with others, or create standards where none previously existed? Look for ways the organisation works with third parties to ensure standards are met, upheld and certified.